William Early Patten was born October 1, 1860 in Sullivan, Indiana. He married Rosa DeJarnett in Carterville in 1891 and had three sons and one daughter. Before moving to Webb City in 1901 to pursue mining ventures, he worked as a carpenter, butcher, plasterer, roofer, blacksmith, miner, and cattle rancher. With his partner, R.B. Dodge, he established the Merchant and Miner's Bank in 1905. He served as superintendent of the Methodist Church and contributed funding for construction of the church at Broadway and Pennsylvania. He built his home to reflect his success in the area and to house his family. Patten died in Webb City on January 9, 1945.